Azerbaijan, IsDB discuss potential agricultural projects

Azerbaijan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) have discussed possible cooperation and a portfolio of potential projects in the agricultural sector.

According to Report, citing the Ministry of Agriculture, the discussions took place during a meeting between Deputy Agriculture Minister Ilhama Gadimova and an assessment mission delegation led by Muhammad Sulaiman, IsDB Group's country operations manager and head of mission.

The meeting covered proposed strategic directions and priorities under the Member Country Partnership Strategy for Azerbaijan, issues identified during the preliminary mission and opportunities for further cooperation.

Gadimova highly praised IsDB's long-standing partnership with Azerbaijan and stressed the importance of the mission for further expanding existing cooperation through new projects and initiatives.

As one successful example of cooperation, she cited the Integrated Rural Development Project implemented in Aghdash, Yevlakh, Shaki and Oghuz districts under the coordination of the Agrarian Credit and Development Agency.

She said the project had contributed to increasing incomes in rural areas, developing agricultural infrastructure and improving irrigation and drainage services.

Gadimova also noted that the State Program for the Development of Production and Processing of Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture Products in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026-2030 sets the main priorities and targets for the development of the agricultural sector in the coming years.

She said there was significant potential for cooperation with IsDB in climate-resilient agriculture, modern irrigation and efficient use of water resources, agricultural financing and risk management, digital agriculture and artificial intelligence, value chain development, processing and cold-chain infrastructure, livestock farming, fisheries and aquaculture, as well as agricultural research and education.

Gadimova added that Azerbaijan was interested in mobilizing financial and technical support, technology and knowledge in these areas to develop projects capable of producing tangible and measurable results for farmers and rural communities.

Sulaiman highly praised Azerbaijan's application of artificial intelligence in agriculture and highlighted the importance of introducing the country's innovative approaches in other IsDB member states.

He also proposed developing new projects within the framework of cooperation and noted that existing projects had contributed to the development of agricultural infrastructure, higher incomes and improvements in other areas.

The sides also exchanged views on further areas of cooperation and the identification of potential projects.